Wouldn't want to be the guy tasked with the mission of fitting a new windscreen to that buckled up car. Has to take ages to get everything aligned! Or do they just screw on a sheet of plexi and seal it with heaps of silicone?

Just a couple of thoughts:
Most KTM 950/990/690 riders carry a spare fuel pump on a long trip and know how to change it. As an EFI bike is susceptible to dirty or water contaminated fuel the filter can block and overheat the pump or the pump can just die due to vibes. I can't believe in a Dakar bike with EFI that they don't carry a pump and filter and have the ability to change it quickly on their own considering the time penalty if they don't. They are only a couple of grams weight and very small.
Also with Depres's tactic seems solid but what about the unforeseeable mechanical failure, unforeseen crash I would have thought it is still better getting time in the bank. Certainly I think that is the difference with Coma riding style. CD will come through as long as his tactic helps him avoid the unforeseen but shit generally does happen even to the aliens occasionally.

Wouldn't want to be the guy tasked with the mission of fitting a new windscreen to that buckled up car. Has to take ages to get everything aligned! Or do they just screw on a sheet of plexi and seal it with heaps of silicone?

They'll probably just give the pilot a pair of those goggles the crew is wearing.

Wouldn't want to be the guy tasked with the mission of fitting a new windscreen to that buckled up car. Has to take ages to get everything aligned! Or do they just screw on a sheet of plexi and seal it with heaps of silicone?

+1... when is this foto from? The FIA tech stewards have to inspect and give an OK if the car is cleared for competition the next day... but the factory teams like hallspeed Toyota and overdrive have CroMo tubing and MIG welders for that kind of thing...

By morning it'll have a new screen in it and all systems go I would assume.

__________________"I still haven't worked out why all these people are here, but all I can think is there's a small amount of craziness left in an increasingly sanitised world and they want to be part of it"Russ Malkin 2006

They leave a fair bit of space between the roof panel and the roll bar when they build them so it might not be as bad as it looks. With the tubing that's used I'd be surprised if the roll bar itself has been compromised to any great extent. You can bet your life it will be right by the morning.

__________________And he sees the vision splendid of the sunlit plains extended,And at night the wondrous glory of the everlasting stars.

The Dakar moved into Chile’s Arica desert for the fifth stage with a slow and cumbersome 411 km (257 miles) with 136 km of special test. It almost seemed like an enduro race. In fact, it was enduro rider Alessandro Botturi who showed his true colours bringing the Husqvarna Rallye Team by Speedbrain a well-earned fourth place. After Joan Barreda’s two stage wins and Paulo Goncalves’ second place, Alessandro rode his Husqvarna TE449RR by Speedbrain into fourth place for the second time. In doing so he moves up two places in the overall standings. Now the Italian rider is in 7th place overall.
*
Husqvarna’s “special customer” Jordi Viladoms on a TE449RR by Speedbrain, put in his usual consistent performance, coming in sevententh today and fifth overall, moving up to lead the Husqvarna riders. The 'fesh-fesh’ and large rocks made life difficult for Paulo Goncalves in the special, where he strived not to make mistakes and finished in fourteenth place.

Likewise, Joan Barreda had an unlucky day picking up a fifteen minute penalty as for an engine change. The engine was substituted in the night as a precaution when a faulty bearing was found. Joan came in a long way behind in today special stage due problems with the gas pump helped with water-carrier Matt Fish.

Tomorrow sees the caravan roll on to Argentina with an extremely long 764 km stage (477 miles) with 454 km of special test.
*
Alessandro Botturi: ”I set out to win today, but it turned out to be more tricky than I’d imagined. I was unable to attack in the way I’d have liked because of the lack of visibility and the fesh-fesh, but it was a good stage for me.”

Paulo Goncalves: ”I was really careful today. It was a very dangerous stage with a very hazardous terrain. It would have been easy to fall, so I tried not to make any mistakes and get through the stage.”

Jordi Viladoms: ”I’m really pleased with my Speedbrain-Husqvarna. I’m really getting on well with it. Today was a very hazardous stage and I tried to keep a steady pace. I’m very satisfy with my fifth overall place so far.”

Strange switching from 90 mph reading your roadbook to absolutely nothing. 16 Dakar competitors have come through the hospital, but a wise sage thought it best we didn't mix . So no bed races, have a feeling the garbage truck drivers might have won!.

Had a body brace fitted yesterday, if it works I might be able to fly in the next few days. Keen to get the op done in Denver so I can start the recovery. Heck at this stage I'll just be happy to sit up by myself.

Funny how your detail focus changes. I arrived in a pair of sweat ridden cycle shorts, which they cut off. Spent the day wondering what I'm going to wear going home .

__________________
Yes, you can vacuum a Rottweiler
Certified battery murderer.
"Sounds to me like a bunch of other whiny pilots need to grow a set of ovaries and woman the f*#k up." Iron Horse

+1... when is this foto from? The FIA tech stewards have to inspect and give an OK if the car is cleared for competition the next day... but the factory teams like hallspeed Toyota and overdrive have CroMo tubing and MIG welders for that kind of thing...

By morning it'll have a new screen in it and all systems go I would assume.

I believe it's from stage 4, the Eurosport coverage showed some clips of the car when it was freshly rolled. Sped of with the rests of the windshield folded away in front of the co-driver and some rear fairing hanging on by a thread. All while the spectators were cheering on! =)